Date: 11/14/2022

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost. This month’s key word is Thankfulness: The question this week is how are you being thankful?

1Thessalonians 5:16-18, Apostle Paul says to the believers at Thessalonica, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We can learn to give thanks even if we don’t feel particularly thankful. If God gives a command, he expects obedience. Thankfulness, like forgiveness, is not an emotion. Thankfulness is an intelligent response of gratitude to God.” Two (2) attributes about being thankful are:

A Call to Thanksgiving: We are to be thankful to God. This was David’s plea in Psalm 100:4-5, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Paul’s exhortation to the believers at Colossee, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body: and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:15-17).

The Meaning of Thanksgiving: 1. Grateful. This means being “appreciative of benefits received” (Webster).” Thankfulness arises out of the grace of God and that which He has done” Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful (grateful).” Psalms 100:4 instructs us to, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.” 2. Gratitude. “This is the state of being grateful” (Webster). It is a “season for all seasons.” Gratitude “is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.” Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus …, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving (gratitude).” 3. Glorify. “to acknowledge fully, to celebrate fully, in praise with thanksgiving.” Glorifyin Luke 2:38, “After Anna saw the baby Jesus “in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”        4. Grace. “Grace” and “thanks” in the New Testament means expressing “favor.” Paul said to the Romans “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). “This grace or favor comes from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans1:7). Saints and friends, a state of mind that sees God in everything is evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart.” Until next week, let us remember, “…With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop

Date: 11/07/2022

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory and to the Holy Ghost. This month’s keyword is Thankfulness.

Being thankful is to show gratitude and appreciation for what God has done for us. In fact, being thankful can be the most challenging aspect of our lives. Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. It is important to remember the foundation for thankfulness is found in Ephesians 5:18b-19: “Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts”. What Paul wants us to understand is that thankfulness is not a happenstance, but the ability to give thanks in everything.

Being grateful heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. When we communicate gratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connect to those around us and the Lord Jesus Christ. However, rather than Paul addressing the concerns of a particular church, it was a sermon to all Christians throughout all generations. When we reflect on our blessings and rehearseGod’s accomplishments, we discover God’s heart. And to discover God’s heart is to discover not just good gifts but the Good Giver “(God).” And, whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

In closing Jesus’s death, became how we give thanks in every aspect of our lives, that are obvious, obscure, and even objectionable. In everything, we should give thanks. Psalms 107:1, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever”. Therefore, the real question is, how are we being thankful? Part Two on thankfulness next week. Let usremember, “…with God all things are possible”. (Matthew 19:26)

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop